Tests & Treatments for Menstrual Disorders at University of Colorado Hospital

Menstrual Disorders: Tests

Urine Test

Quickly determines if you are pregnant or if you have an infection.

Blood Test

Checks for abnormal hormone levels.

Pap Smear

A test that scrapes cells from the surface of the cervix (the lower, narrow part of the uterus) to check for cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer.

Biopsy

Removes a small amount of the tissue from the uterus. A pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer. This is an in office procedure that does not require anesthesia.

Pelvic Ultrasound

A machine that uses high-energy, sound waves to produce an image of the cervix, ovaries and uterus to check for abnormalities.

Hysteroscopy

A thin, lighted, flexible tube (hysteroscope) is inserted into the vagina and gives a magnified picture of the cervix, ovaries and uterus to check for abnormalities.

Fluid Contrast Ultrasound

Fluid is injected through the vagina and cervix and into the uterus. An ultrasound is then used to look at the lining of the uterus.

---

Menstrual Disorders: Treatments

Birth Control Pills

Medication that uses hormones to control a woman's menstrual cycle.  Birth control pills can help with irregular menstrual periods, polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis.

Laparoscopy

Minimally invasive surgery that uses lighted instrument, called a laparoscope to view cysts on the ovaries. It is inserted through a small incision into the abdomen, if necessary the cyst can be removed. You may be put to sleep or given epidural anesthesia (a type of anesthesia that blocks all pain below the belly button) for this procedure.

Hysterectomy

A surgery that removes the uterus and sometimes the ovaries. A hysterectomy is always a last resort in severe cases when other treatment methods have failed.

Other treatments may be available depending on the diagnosis.